This article explores the symbolism of the petate in light of an unprecedented archaeological discovery. Excavations carried out in a Classic context in northern Michoacán revealed the impression of a petate marking the location of a burial. In addition, the lower section of the burial pit was covered over with andesite slabs, including one with grid-like and spiral incisions. After a brief overview of the ancient and modern uses of the petate and relevant archaeological evidence, I present the data that allow the testing of different hypotheses, in particular the symbolization of power through the petate. Contextual analysis suggests that both the woven mat and the incised slab served as thresholds, if not barriers, between the world of the living and the underworld. I propose that the petate was placed over the grave to serve as a regulator, ensuring that entities were properly separated and that they remained in their respective places. As such, it was an object protecting the cosmic order. I further suggest that the petate may have acted as a temporal gate, guaranteeing the continuous exercise of authority and argue that it was, as a finished object, endowed with power.

本文根据史无前例的考古发现探讨了petate的象征意义。在米却肯州北部的经典背景下进行的挖掘揭示了标记墓地位置的盆地印象。此外，埋葬坑的下部覆盖着安山岩板，包括一块带有网格状和螺旋形切口的板。在简要概述了petate的古代和现代用途以及相关考古证据之后，我提供了可以检验不同假设的数据，特别是 petate 对权力的象征. 背景分析表明，编织垫和切割板都充当了生活世界和地下世界之间的门槛，如果不是障碍的话。我建议将petate放在坟墓上作为调节器，确保实体被适当地分开，并确保它们留在各自的位置。因此，它是保护宇宙秩序的对象。我进一步建议，petate可能起到了时间门的作用，保证了权力的持续行使，并认为它作为一个完成的物体被赋予了权力。